New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-25
ALMOST A RIOT IN A SENATE.
GREEN SMITH KEEPS HIS SEAT BY FORCE
LIEUTENANT-G GOVERNOR ROBERTSON DEMANDING
HIS PLAcE-BULLIEs FOR DOoRKEEPERS
far TELEGRAPH TO THE r.rsuNy1

LIEUTENANT-GovERNOR ROBERTSON DEMANDING
his PLAcE-BULLIEs FOR DOORKEEPERs
tSr TELEGRAPH TO THE rKrBUNx1
INDIANAPOLIS. Feb 24-Green Smith, the usurping
presiding officer Of the Senate and his Democratic fol-
lowers prepared themselves for serious trouble this
morning In anticipation Of q torcble attempt to put
Colonel Robertson in the Lieutenant Governors chair.
Smith early In the morning called upon tho Governor
and requested that militia company should be sent to
the Senate Chamber to prevent any disturbance. The
Governor refused to comply with this request Smith
had the force Of doorkeepers doubled
and placed men both outside and inside the
Senate Chamber to guard against the admission Of all
persons to whose presence the usurper objected
Gratis were admitted freely but Republican Senators
were compelled TO force their way through to tho inside
When the Metropolitan policemen made their appear
ance the crowd suppong that they had been sent to the
Capitol npon Smiths request drove them from the place
and handled them rather roughly in hustng them out Of
tho building When Senator Macy ep) appeared at the
Senate door and demanded admttance the doorkeeper
refused to allow him to enter, but he finally forced his
way past them followed by Lieutenant Governor Robert
son and Colonel John O. New
Then there a violent outburst Senator De-
motto had been struggling in the crowd around
tho door for nearly hour. aud when
he finally got his foot In. he showed through. pushing
doorkeepers aside, exclaimng Let me in you have
rightto stop me- There Disgusting the fact that
he was mad and around him gathered excited
crowd OF Republicans and Democrats Senator Johnson
announced his positive opinion that doorkecpers
werc a lot OF blanked bules and cowards" In mo-
ment there the greatest confusion. loud talking,
pushing and profanity In the midst OF it all there
an Interchange of blows between soino
OF the participants ana Senator Mcdonald
out OF the crowd with his nose somewhat skinned
having been struck by Senator Johnson (Rep) who also
reached for his revolver when doorkeeper rushed to-
ward him. 1t looked for moment IL bloodshed
ineyifabe. he WA W "a
members and Smith called the Senate to order Colonel
Robertson, up to this tme had been sitting quietly at
the reporters table, but this point he and at
tempted to ascend tho steps leading to tho presiding
officers chair An assistant doorkceper stopped him and
ordered him back. but this command not
needed The doorkeeper then seized and threw him back
distance of ten twelve feet His face pale, but
there was look of determination bis counenancc
he walked 10 the CLERKS desk and began speaking lie
said:
Ihave been excluded from the position to which the
people have elected me- and wish 10 make a statement
OF my position. wish 20 make a formal demand -
Senator Bailey-I rise to point OF order This person
Is not MEMBER OF this Senate and has no right to speak
here.
smith-The point OF order is well taken The door
keeper will remove tho gentleman If he persists in
speaking -,
demand am unarmed
smith-so are we ALL hut we were forewarned.
Senator Bailey-This is not the place for this TO
test his alleged rights.
Senator Denote cpl tried TO speak but ordered
by Smith TO take his seat This he refused to do Smith
ordered doorkeeper TO put Senator Denote In his seat
The doorkceper pushed the Senator into his seat vio
lenty that the chair broken and the two men fell
upon the floor. There rush OF both Republicans
and Democrats that part OF the Chamber, and again
general fight seemed imminent. but the determination to
avoid a conflict long possible caused the Repub
keep their feeling restraint and trouble was
avoided.
When the disorder quietcd Smith ordered the door
keeper Colonel Robertson from the floor OF the
Senate and keep him out Senator Campbell protested
that the Senate alone could give such an order.
81 guess / know what have a right TO DO" replied
Smith.
A motion for Colonel Robertson's election from the
chamber was declared carried When the doorkeeper
approached him Colonel Robertson did not resist but
walked out quietly Tho Republican Senators followed
but the doors locked before they got 10 them.
LET them co.. said Smith, "it Is their own fault and
they can take the responsibility"
when Colonel Robertson appeared at the door, the
widest uproar prevailed in the crowd gathered In the
corridors The Lieutenant Governor was loudly checred
aud under the leadership Of Representative Hcrchcva
the Infatuated hrong starred break in the Senate
doors Colonel Robertson call upon them to give him
their attention for moment before doing any violence
and leading them To the north end OF the Capitol he de-
livcrcd an address which he closed as follows:
Gentlemen your blood is up II is something that will
make any American citizens blood boil but say 10 you,
gentlemen. all sincerely that u1e and with all The
feryor that am master ofdo nOrhug N which you Will
he ashamed In your cooler moments. Applause. They
have made record In this House to-day that viii hurl
this Infamous Democratic party out OF power IN the state
for the next quarter cf century Applause thank
YOU. cnemen for attention. Great applause and
cheers for Lieutenant Governor Robertson
The Lieutenant Governors advice had the effect to
quiet turbulent spirit the crowd. and the order 10
charge the Senate Chamber recalled After the
Lieutenant election from the senate the Re
publican members who locked In the chamber re-
fused 10 although they threatened with fine
III 900 each under the Statutes for refusing To do So
The Houhe has refused TO receive any communications
the while Smith continues Ia occupy the pre-
siding officers cha II.